growth

the party preparations are growing

and so is this girl -
8cm in the past 2 months!
(that's the length of my middle finger -
or "tall man," as he's known to big sister)

it's coming

the little party is coming...
and so is the pre-schooler pickiness!

last week, i helped look after the kids in our bible study group creche
most of the kids are a tad older than big sister
so i took this as an opportunity to glimpse into the future -
a future of, "i want to sit next to...," "i want an orange cup, not a blue one..."
(the kids were really delightful, i'm not meaning to speak ill of them!)

so yesterday, after buying these plates for her party,
big sister said, "want yoghurt on blue plate, mummy"
the future has arrived a little sooner than expected...

crazy morning

surely it was the wind
and not these tasty morsels
that made the kidlets at playgroup
go so crazy this morning...

riding bikes on the farm

hello spring!

our garden is blooming
with the delights of spring

birthday preparations begin

baking cupcakes for playgroup next week
almost stolen off the bench by the birthday girl!

a day of discontent

Today is a discontented day for me, for no real reason. Since little sister's birth, I have struggled to be content with many aspects of my life. Her presence brings me one step closer to the (family) life I hope for, but also somehow illuminates the aspects of our present circumstance that are not part of my ideal. If you pray, please pray that I would be content with what I have right now, remembering that where I am is where God has purposefully placed me, and I am not beyond him here.

Above is a picture of big sister in the midst of a pom-pom making adventure - crafting together is something I look forward to doing more and more together as my girls grow.

Below is a Benedictine prayer recounted in Simon Carey Holt's book, 'God Next Door,' which helps to realign my heart when I'm struggling with discontent.

Lord, this cell is to be my home
May your holy power furnish it
in peace and decorate its four walls
with holiness so that your sacred
presence will also abide here.
Lord, it is not large or grand
but it is to be my living place.
May I find within its close quarters
refreshment and your sacred space.
May your spirit of prayer
be my frequent guest and welcome housemate.
May the spirit of praise
Guide every task and deed performed here.
Lord, this cell will be a place for living,
sleeping, praying; it will be a shrine
and a place for healing.
May my door stand open to all who are in need -
as a sign of the posture of my heart.
May peace, love and beauty flow out from
this cell of mine in all four directions
and up and down.
May your silent echo be heard
by all of those whose lives surround me.
The birds of the air have nests;
Foxes have dens;
May this cell of mine
be blessed by you, my God
as a home for me...
and for you as well.
Amen.

sunny days

from big sister's mouth

said by big sister this evening, without prompting:
"love you daddy. love you mummy. love you (little sister)."
awww...

from big sister's hand

yesterday

yesterday
was a lunch outside day

little sister's first real chance to sunbake

and the first time big sister said,
"i hold sister? i hold sister?"

weekend

this weekend

we went to the zoo
then we had a rest

mummy had an hour out and about by herself
and we had friends over for dinner
then we had a rest

we went to church
big sister proudly wore the crown she made
then we had a rest

alone time

during big sister's afternoon nap
and little sister's bathtime
i get to bond with my new girl

we talk
we smile
we watch each other

precious alone time

lazing on a sunny afternoon

i love you, little flashdance sister

happy two month birthday for yesterday, little sister!

yummy yoghurt

playful

little sister is beginning to play
knocking over the red-nose rudolphs with flailing arms
reclining for lengthy spells and cooing for a face to smile at

entertainment

big sister is becoming more and more imaginative
this is just one morning's work!

closeness

big sister was eager to join little sister on the floor
she loves to be close to her
big sister often lets me know when little sister is crying
and she loves to stroke little sister's head when she's sleeping
so lovely

together

this is the best i could do
to get a picture of my girls together
neither of them smile on command
but at least they look at the camera!